unit 1 - the fall of the roman empire and the germanic peoples

Chronology: 27 BCE – 476 AD

Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire): until 1453.

Political organisation:

Emperor (1st emperor – Caesar Augustus).

Senate: ratified the decisions of the emperor.

Social organisation:

- Citizens (all rights and privileges): Patricians.

- Non citizens: plebeians (free. No political rights)

Women

Slaves

Economy:

Agriculture Specialised depending on the region.

Trade Favoured by:

- Pax Romana.

- Single currency.

- Roads.

- Mare Nostrum.

Religion: polytheism.

Emperor:

Pontifex Maximus.

- Political crisis: weaker emperors.

- Social and military revolts Sack of cities Insecurity Migration to the countryside.

- Commerce collapses.

- Villas (Country house, large-scale agricultural production) Almost feudal.

FROM COMMERCE TO AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK FARMING

- Germanic peoples Cross the borders.

- Late 3rd century Huns They pushed the Germanic peoples (Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Saxons, etc.) into the Roman Empire. More instability.

- Religion: 313 Edict of Milan (Constantine the Great) Freedom of worship.

-380 Theodosius the Great proclaims Christianity official religion.

395 – Theodosius the Great died Division of the empire.

Western (Capital: Rome) Until 476.

Eastern (Capital: Constantinople) Until 1453. BYZANTINE EMPIRE

3rd-10th centuries Mass migrations in Europe.

3rd-5th century Germanic peoples.

From 8th century Slavs and Magyars from the east, Norsemen (Vikings) from the north, Muslims from the south.

Causes:

- Demographic changes Relationship between population and resources.

- Political and/or military weakness.

- Pressure from peoples with greater military power.

3rd-5th century Germanic peoples (Barbarians) From north and east of the Roman Empire.

476 The Ostrogoths conquer Rome.

Western Roman Empire Divided into the different Germanic peoples.

HIGH ROMAN EMPIRE GERMANIC PEOPLES

Centralised power Emperor

Organisation in tribes Division into kingdoms.

Conflicts.

PAX ROMANA CommerceInsecurity No commerce.

Agriculture

Cities Rural life

Patricians and plebeians. Citizens. Privileged landowning minority.

Polytheism Christianity